Anyone been to Flatonia (Tx) to train watch?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Good Morning,

The wife and I are looking to take a day trip to Flatonia Texas to “watch trains”. I understand the folks there are railroad nut tolerant and the train watching is pretty good.

Do you all have any tips (restaurants) or comments on the area?

Thanks,

Mobilman44

2

Before you go, check out the following two short articles about Flatonia in Trains magazine:

March 1993, p. 70

September 2007, p. 68

Enjoy your visit!

3

Thank you!

I thought I recalled an article about it in the RR press, but forgot where/when!

Mobilman44

4

Flatonia is a GREAT place to watch trains,They have moved Twr 3 to the downtown area and built a platform there to photo,video trains from! There is also lots of UP action since both tracks belong to “The Uncle” Theres an article on it in a Trains issue from late last year I believe…Sorry,I dont know what month it was… Have a good time and post some pics !

5

Remember that KCS (Tex Mex) passes through there on UP trackage rights between Houston and Laredo.

6

Thanks!

Do you recall any good restaurants or other points of interest there?

Mobilman44

7

mobilman,

Did you get the e-mail I sent you about Flatonia?

mike

8

Miketx,

No, I did not receive an email.

Thanks,

Mobilman44

9

Mobilman,

Sorry you didn’t get my e-mail. I pretty much covered everything you need to know. So let me try again…

I used to live in Flatonia, but now live about 20 miles west between Harwood and Waelder. The Sunset line runs right along the north side of our property. Im lucky I’m close to Flatonia, as I’m there at least 3-4 times a month.

The photo pavilion is located about 3 or 4 blocks west of the downtown area on the interlocker. To get to the photo pavilion, go west on hwy. 90, the main drag through town, until you cross under the railroad bridge on the very west edge of town. There is a small gravel road on your left about 100 yards further down the road. As soon as you turn in, you can see the photo pavilion, the interlocker and the yard. The photo pavilion is really nice. No restrooms (yet), but electricity, and good lighting.

As for accomodations, restaurants, etc., there are a couple of small motels right off of interstate 10. Never stayed there myself, but I don’t think the fleas are too big.

The best restaurant in town is Robert’s Steakhouse, which is right north of I-10 on highway 95. It’s VERY nice, and they put on a good steak at a reasonable price. Also, the old standbys, DQ, McD, and Joel’s BBQ, as well as a couple of hamburger joints on the east side of town, and one cafe downtown. It has odd hours so it may or may not be open when you’re there. I think Joel’s BBQ is good.

The rail traffic varies. Saturday afternoon is the slowest time of the week. You have both UP and KCS. There is a railroad park downtown, where they put the old switch tower and a reconditioned caboose. We had an old freight depot down there, but last May a tornado tore it down.

All in all, it’s a great place to go railfanning. Creature comforts if you

10

Mike,

Thank you for “everything I needed to know”, and I suspect we will make a daytrip there very soon. I live in Spring (tx), and have spent a lot of time watching the UP running thru old town spring at the yard (ex MP) there. I confess that the trains are sometimes routine (to me) as the usual are covered hoppers and/or tanks. There are auto trains there too, waiting to hit the unloading area south of Spring. All that being said, there is often a pretty good loco mix, and every once in awhile there is a mixed train coming thru, or something unusual. We typically eat at Wunsches right a trackside.

Thanks,

Mobilman44